Most Difficult Chord on the Violin for Small Hand and Pinky

This video is specific to an E major chord that's notoriously difficult to reach in tune for players with small hands. I share the tactics and strategies I use to play this chord. For small hands, this is a double extension - meaning there is an extension both up and down from the center of the hand. If you lack flexibility in a finger joint, this video might be helpful as well, because one of my 3rd finger joints doesn't have a good range of motion, creating an extra handicap. Here's how I get around it.

Applying this chord in repertoire, it's important to place the hand into the right position a little in advance. Toward the end of the video, I demonstrate how to prepare the chord in a passage near the end of Saint-Saens Rondo Cappriccioso. Be responsible when practicing extensions and don't injure yourself. Stop if you experience any kind of pain. Also don't spend too much time on this - a few minutes a day of practice is ideal for extensions.

Video Break-down
0:00 - Intro
1:07 - Hand Size and Flexibility
2:05 - Safe Extensions
3:21 - Extra contact with instrument
4:44 - Weight distribution around 3rd finger
6:33 - Knuckles closer to violin neck
7:46 - Thumb Position
8:14 - Applying in Context
9:57 - Closing

You might also like:
Exercises for Left Hand Extensions:    • Left Hand Extensions | Preparing for 10ths!🤘  
Left Hand Frame Setup (for small hands):    • How to Play Violin with Small Hands | Left...  
Highest Positions (for small hands):    • How to Play in High Positions More Comfort...  

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Inna Langerman
•Violin teacher
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•Assistant concertmaster at Manhattan Opera Studio
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